Short answer: the KEF Muo gen2, if you are buying new. The Sony XB23 ranks higher than it (#84 vs #97 of 175 medium speakers, 3.3/5 vs 3.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the KEF Muo gen2 is still sold new at $249.99. The Sony XB23’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 1, is rated 3.1/5 at $138.
The Sony XB23 is the lighter choice. Reasonably neutral. At 1.3 lbs (580 g) it weighs noticeably less than the KEF Muo gen2 at 1.6 lbs (740 g). It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the KEF Muo gen2 lacks. Watch for: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
The KEF Muo gen2 is the longer-running, tougher choice. KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony XB23. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Sony XB23. Watch for: Lacking deeper bass.
Buy the KEF Muo gen2 new; the Sony XB23 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | KEF Muo gen2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #97 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) | 1.6 lbs (740 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 8.5” x 3.2” x 2.3” (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS | 40W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony XB23:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony XB23
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony XB23
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony XB23
- Minirig 4 vs Sony XB23
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Sony XB23
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony XB23: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked lower, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024.
Older models: the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max. Discontinued.
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
KEF Muo gen2: $249.99 Amazon $249.99 eBay
Pros: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance
Cons: Lacking deeper bass. Very thuddy bass. Appears to be the exact same hardware but with updated tuning. Bass distorts as volume increases, and the claimed 43Hz extension is really only audible at low listening volumes, with a few seconds of lag after volume changes. Loses most of its bass off-axis. Customer reviews are mixed, ranging from praise for detail at low volume to complaints of a boxy, hollow sound.
Full KEF Muo gen2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.2” x 2.3” (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (740 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons